This wide-ranging book is the first to explore the visual culture of Russia over the entire span of Russian history, from ancient Kiev to contemporary, post-Soviet society. Illustrated with more than one hundred diverse and fascinat­ing images, the book examines the ways that Russians have represented them­selves visually, understood their visual environment, and used visual images in social and political contexts. Expert contributors discuss images and objects from all over the Russian/Soviet empire, including consumer goods, monuments, religious icons, portraits, news and art photographs, popular prints, films, folk art, and more.

Each of the concise and accessible essays offers a fresh interpretation of Russian cultural history. By putting visuality itself in focus, Picturing Russia adds an entirely new dimension to the study of Russian literature, history, art, and culture. The book enriches our under­standing of visual documents and shows the variety of ways they serve as far more than mere illustrations.